Merrick Kitchen Bites Wingalings Applewood Bacon Flavor Review
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Review of Merrick Kitchen Bites Wingalings Applewood Bacon Flavor
According to our most recent data, this product is intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding only.
Review of Ingredients
In our review of Merrick Kitchen Bites Wingalings Applewood Bacon Flavor, we'll examine all 18 ingredients and highlight the nutritional contribution of each ingredient.
While the first few ingredients typically dominate the recipe's composition, ingredients in small quantities can still have a meaningful impact on the overall nutritional profile of the recipe.
Chicken is a lean, easily digestible source of protein that provides essential nutrients for your dog's growth and maintenance. It's also a great source of vitamins and minerals to support overall health.
Dried sweet potato is a source of dietary fiber which aids in healthy digestion, and also contains vitamins like vitamin A and C.
Dried potato is a gluten-free carbohydrate source that provides dogs with the energy they need for daily activities. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals, supporting overall health and well-being.
Peas are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. They can contribute to your dog's overall health and provide necessary nutrients.
Chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols) is a source of essential fatty acids like omega-6 which help to maintain a healthy skin and coat. The tocopherols act as natural preservatives.
While brown sugar is not a necessary ingredient in dog food, it can be used in small quantities to add natural sweetness and flavor to the food, making it more palatable for your dog.
Dried carrot is a natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can support your dog's immune system, vision, and overall health. This ingredient is also high in dietary fiber, which can promote healthy digestion and help maintain a healthy weight.
Natural flavor is added to dog food to enhance its taste and make it more appealing to your pet. This can help encourage your dog to eat a balanced and nutritious diet, supporting their overall health and well-being.
Flaxseed is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients, which can support your dog's skin, coat, and digestive health.
Bacon flavor enhances the taste of your dog's food, making it more appealing and enjoyable for your pet.
Dried apple is a natural source of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, promoting healthy digestion and overall well-being. It also provides a natural sweetness that dogs enjoy.
Gelatin is a natural source of collagen, which helps maintain healthy joints and promotes a shiny, healthy coat for your dog.
Rosemary is an aromatic herb that not only adds flavor to dog food, but also offers numerous health benefits. It is a natural antioxidant that supports a healthy immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties which can help soothe your dog's digestive system.
Sage is a natural herb that can be added to dog food for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It may also help support your dog's digestive health and overall immune system.
Thyme is an aromatic herb that not only adds flavor to your dog's food, but also provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These benefits can support your dog's immune system, digestive health, and overall well-being.
Citric acid is a natural preservative that helps maintain the freshness and quality of dog food. It also acts as an antioxidant, which can help protect your dog's cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Mixed tocopherols are natural antioxidants used to preserve the freshness of dog food, ensuring your pet receives the highest quality nutrients possible.
Rosemary extract is a natural antioxidant that can help protect your dog's body from the harmful effects of free radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can support your dog's overall health and well-being, particularly in regard to joint health.
Review of Guaranteed Analysis
The crude protein content of at least 15.00% in this pet food is primarily contributed by the deboned chicken, which is a high-quality source of protein and listed as the first ingredient, indicating it is the most abundant by weight. Other ingredients such as peas and gelatin also add to the protein content, but to a lesser extent compared to the chicken.
For the crude fat minimum of 8.00%, the primary contributors are chicken fat and the natural fats present in the deboned chicken. Chicken fat is a common ingredient in pet foods due to its high energy content and palatability. Flaxseed may also contribute some fat, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, but it is likely a smaller amount compared to the chicken fat.
The maximum crude fiber content of 5.50% comes from ingredients such as dried sweet potatoes, dried potatoes, peas, and dried carrots. These ingredients are less digestible plant-based components that contribute to the dietary fiber content. Flaxseed can also be a source of fiber. Fiber is essential for gastrointestinal health, but the percentage is kept below a certain level to ensure the food is still highly digestible for pets.
The natural flavor, bacon flavor, brown sugar, and dried apples are likely included to enhance the taste of the food, but they do not significantly contribute to the protein, fat, or fiber content. Ingredients like gelatin might contribute to the overall protein content but are also used to influence the texture of the treats.
Preservatives such as citric acid, mixed tocopherols, and rosemary extract are included to maintain the shelf life of the product by preventing oxidation of the fats and oils, but they do not contribute to the guaranteed analysis values. Herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme are likely included for their potential health benefits and to improve palatability, but they are present in small amounts and do not significantly alter the nutritional profile of the product.
